UTTLESFORD LIB DEMS SAY TAKE HOME PLANS BACK TO DRAWING BOARD

4.19.00pm GMT Fri 11th Jan 2008

Uttlesford Conservatives' proposed new town in Elsenham and Henham.

Uttlesford's Liberal Democrat councillors have called for the council's proposals for future housing in the district to be taken back to the drawing board and for public consultations to be rerun. Their call came last Friday (11 January) on the day consultation closed on four housing option schemes that included the controversial Option 4 new town between Elsenham and Henham.

Councillors from across the district were at one in describing the recent exercise as flawed and inadequate for deciding where to build homes for the future.

Dunmow's Cllr Mark Gayler said: 'I am with Dunmow Town Council and Town Strategy Group in questioning how the plan was developed. It needs to be much more transparent and based on evidence next time'.

Stansted's Cllr Alan Dean said: 'The timing of the consultation over Christmas, the failure to deliver information to residents and the changing story from the council about eco-towns have all added to the public confusion'.

Elsenham's Cllr David Morson said: 'The way in which Option 4 was produced out of a hat without supporting evidence and offered as a monopoly to one developer is an unacceptable way for the council to do business.'

Thaxted's Cllr Martin Foley said: 'People in all parts of the district are united in deploring what has happened since September. It's not a case of "in your backyard and not in mine". Residents, their children and grandchildren want choice in where they live.'

Newport's Cllr Peter Wilcock and Lib Dem group leader added: 'There has to be a rerun of this to look again at all the evidence and to engage properly with community stakeholders, including parish councils, to work out a way forward together. Pausing now for breath might avoid hefty legal costs as well as help achieve a much more satisfactory and understandable outcome for everyone. '